Privacy Policy

At Vedic Stones (www.vedicstones.co.uk), we are committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your data in compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Information We Collect

By visiting our website and/or purchasing products from us, you engage in our 'Service' and agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions, including those additional terms and policies referenced herein.

1.1 Personal Information

When you create an account, place an order, or contact us, we may collect:

Full name
Email address
Billing and delivery addresses
Telephone number
Payment information (processed securely through third-party payment processors)
Order history and preferences

1.2 Technical Information

We automatically collect certain information when you visit our website:

IP address
Browser type and version
Device information
Pages visited and time spent on the site
Referring website addresses
Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Cookie Policy)

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

Processing and fulfilling your orders
Communicating with you about your orders, deliveries, and customer service enquiries
Processing payments and preventing fraud
Improving our website, products, and services
Sending marketing communications (with your consent)
Personalising your shopping experience
Complying with legal obligations
Analysing website usage and performance

3. Legal Basis for Processing

Under UK GDPR, we process your personal data based on:

Contract Performance: Processing your orders and providing services you've requested
Consent: Marketing communications and optional cookies
Legitimate Interests: Improving our services, fraud prevention, and website analytics
Legal Obligation: Compliance with tax, accounting, and legal requirements

4. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information with:

4.1 Service Providers

Payment processors (to process transactions securely)
Shipping and delivery companies (to fulfil orders)
Email service providers (to send order confirmations and marketing)
Website hosting and IT service providers
Analytics providers

4.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or to protect our rights, property, or safety.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational security measures to protect your personal information, including:

SSL encryption for data transmission
Secure payment processing through PCI-DSS compliant providers
Access controls and authentication measures
Regular security assessments and updates

However, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

Fulfil the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy
Comply with legal, accounting, and regulatory requirements (typically 6-7 years for financial records)
Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements

When your information is no longer needed, we will securely delete or anonymise it.

7. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

Right of Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data
Right to Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data (subject to legal requirements)
Right to Restrict Processing: Limit how we use your data in certain circumstances
Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, commonly used format
Right to Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for marketing purposes
Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@vedicstones.co.uk. We will respond within one month.

8. Cookies

Our website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience. Cookies are small text files stored on your device. We use:

Essential Cookies: Necessary for the website to function (e.g., shopping basket, login)
Performance Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site (e.g., Google Analytics)
Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and choices
Marketing Cookies: Track your browsing to deliver relevant advertisements (with your consent)

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect website functionality.

9. Marketing Communications

With your consent, we may send you marketing emails about new products, special offers, and updates. You can unsubscribe at any time by:

Clicking the 'unsubscribe' link in any marketing email
Contacting us at info@vedicstones.co.uk
Updating your account preferences

9. Children's Privacy

Our website and services are not intended for children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately, and we will delete it.

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The updated version will be posted on this page with a revised 'Last Updated' date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

13. Contact Us and Complaints

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Email: info@vedicstones.co.uk

Website: www.vedicstones.co.uk

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's data protection authority:

ICO Website: www.ico.org.uk

ICO Helpline: 0303 123 1113

Privacy Policy for Vedic Stones UK